Modeling the Rock Cycle

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Magdalen Iris Harris
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P a g e 1 Name Modeling the Rock Cycle Background Information: Like the Earth itself, rocks are in a constant state of change. Rocks are solids made up of different minerals.

Metamorphic Rock Formed under tremendous heat and pressure Found inside the Earth's crust where there is enough heat and pressure to create the rocks Made from other types of rock Examples: slate,

1 P a g e 1 Name Modeling the Rock Cycle Background Information: Like the Earth itself, rocks are in a constant state of change. Rocks are solids made up of different minerals. Scientists usually classify rocks by how they were made or formed. There are three major classifications of rocks: Metamorphic, Igneous, and Sedimentary. Metamorphic Rock Formed under tremendous heat and pressure Found inside the Earth's crust where there is enough heat and pressure to create the rocks Made from other types of rock Examples: slate, gneiss, marble, anthracite, soapstone, schist Igneous Rocks Formed by volcanoes. Cooled and hardened magma and lava is igneous rock. Examples: basalt, granite. Sedimentary Rocks Formed by many years of sediment compacting (pressing) together and becoming hard Moving water carries sediment (small pieces of rocks and minerals) to a larger bodies of water. Sediment settles at the bottom and over many years form into solid rock. Examples: shale, limestone, sandstone. Vocabulary to know: Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals at and just below the Earth's surface; can be physical or chemical Sediment is soil, sand, and minerals that are transported and deposited by wind and water Erosion is the movement of soil and rock material by agents such as water and wind Deposition is also known as sedimentation, is the geological process by which wind, water, or ice create a sediment deposit by laying down of material that has been eroded and transported from another location Lava is rock that in its molten form (as magma) Magma is molten rock beneath the surface of the earth Compaction happens when sediments are deeply buried, placing them under pressure because of the weight of the layers on top. This crushes the grains of sediment together tightly. Cementation is the process in which sediments are glued together by minerals that are deposited by water Summarize how rocks change in your own words:

2 P a g e 2 Purpose: To model the rock cycle Materials: 3 different colors of Plastic knife Hot plate Sheet of aluminum foil Starburst candies Hot plate Tongs Science books Timer Map pencils Goggles What to do: Part 1-1. Put on your goggles. 2. Work with a partner. 3. Use the plastic knife to cut one candy into as many small pieces as possible. 4. Drop the pieces on the piece of foil. 5. Use the plastic knife to cut a different color of candy into small pieces. 6. Drop these pieces on top of the first layer. 7. Repeat with the last candy. 8. Observe the layers from the top and the sides. What do the pieces of candy represent? Explain your answer. Part 2 1. Fold the foil over the layers of candy. Make sure all sides are sealed. 2. Put a science book on the foil. Leave for three minutes. 3. Remove the book and unfold the foil. 4. Observe the layers from the top and the sides.

3 P a g e 3 What do the pieces of candy represent (type of rock)? Explain your answer. Part 3 1. Fold the foil over the candy again. 2. Press down on the foil with all of your weight so that pressure and heat from your body are applied to the pieces of candy. Continue for 2 minutes. 3. Unfold the foil. 4. Observe the layers form the top and the sides.

4 P a g e 4 What do the pieces and shavings represent (type of rock)? Explain your answer. Part 4 1. Fold the foil so that it forms a boat for the candy pieces. 2. Use the tongs to place the foil on the hot plate for 30 seconds. 3. Use the tongs to lift the foil from the hot plate, set aside to cool for 3 5 minutes. 4. Unfold the foil and observe from the top and sides. What do the pieces represent (Type of rock)? Explain your answer. Think about it: Describe what would happen if you repeated this entire process using the model rock created in Part 4. Why is the changing of rock considered a cycle?

5 P a g e 5 Draw and label a diagram of the rock cycle below. Include weathering, erosion, deposition/sedimentation, compaction/cementation, heat, pressure, and all three classifications of rocks. Also include how one type of rock can turn into another type of rock Hint: use arrows. The Rock Cycle

Rock Cycle. Presented by Kesler Science

Rock Cycle. Presented by Kesler Science Presented by Kesler Science Essential Questions: What processes are involved in the formation and classification of metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks? Sediments A model that describes the formation,